Larry’s Pretty Good Reading List

Certain dutiful matters that came with his profession – but ah, this looked very enticing! A dinner-party at the Rondegates – how charming! – everyone remarked, usually with a little air of surprise, what a pretty devoted couple they were – a deal of social manner –

And one might anticipate some excellent music! Janey fancied that the Marriage Market had suited Zipsie no better than it had suited herself, but she had been fortunate in parents that had not supposed wedlock the be-all and end-all of a woman’s fate. And had also been fortunate in encountering Geoff so early in the game.

Recalled that Geoff had lifted his eyebrows a little upon first hearing that that match had been made up, but had come about to admit that it appeared to have been based upon sound principles.

She was just composing a note of acceptance when came in Constance Allencourt with a parcel of papers in her hand.

Here, she said, are the completed tables for Lord Demington. It makes such a difference being able to get on with 'em in quiet and without interruption.

Janey took the bundle and smiled at Constance, that was one of the young ladies at the college in Bedford Square that also attended the informal classes in more advanced mathematics held by Ambrose Jolliffe in Janey’s drawing-room, and had very considerable aptitude in that direction. A rather sad tale – father a clergyman in a penurious parish in those suburban parts proliferating south of the river – large numbers of brothers and sisters to be educated – a mother now in ill-health –

Janey and other friends were looking about for remunerative work for Constance – this matter of statistical tables for Artie’s agricultural syndicate was one, and they had found some posts for tutoring.

I suppose, she said, that the Ferrabys will have gone to Firlbrough during the election.

Constance sighed and said, 'twas so. A great pity, because Miss Wallace came on exceedingly – but, she added with a lightening expression, there is some possibility that the school that she and the Misses Ferraby attend might consider offering classes in more advanced mathematics, I have had some discussion with the headmistress already.

O Constance, that would be wonderful! But do you sit down, and I will ring for tea, I am almost finished here myself.

Constance sat down, looking about the room with considerable appreciation, and then a sigh. It frets Mama so, she said, that our furniture is so worn, but what can one expect with a growing family? At least we may keep Papa’s study nice, and the children out of it.

Tea and a quite lavishly-supplied cake-stand arrived. There was still a deal left when both had eat their fill –

Would you like, said Janey, to take the remains back for your mother?

That is very kind – if only she might be persuaded to indulge herself – but I fear that she will look at these treats and say, o, the children must have 'em –

How very tiresome, thought Janey. Then said, well, mayhap that would give her pleasure?

O, indeed, 'twould, but I sometimes wish she would think of herself –

Janey nodded in a sympathetic fashion, and rang to desire the remaining cakes to be parcelled up suitable for carrying.

After Constance had gone she sat brooding for a while. She should ask her mother – or mayhap Rachel Demington – were there any charitable enterprizes that might aid the worn-out wives of penurious parsons – send 'em to the seaside or such to recruit. Dared say there were various diocesan funds to provide for sickly clergymen, but perchance not their spouses.

As she mused, came in Bufton with a card on the silver tray.

Janey picked it up. O, indeed I am at home to Lady Bexbury!

The very person to ask!

Entered Lady Bexbury, as Janey rang for more tea, and they exchanged the conventional greetings – exchanged the latest news of Janey’s mother &C – until Clorinda was seated in a comfortable chair with teacup in hand.

Janey rather impetuous immediately opened her concern: Clorinda blinked a little, looked into her cup as if the tealeaves might contain a message, and remarked that indeed the life of a clergyman’s wife might be a hard one. Here they saw dear Agnes Lucas and Lady Agatha entirely flourishing, but one must consider that, quite apart from Hugh Lucas having a very snug living indeed, they both have their own fortunes, they are not having to scrimp and make over clothes &C. And too many of the clergy felt that they were obliged to set an example of increasing and multiplying –

Janey, who fancied that that might be something of the problem with Mrs Allencourt, with the number of Constance’s sisters and brothers, blushed.

Hmmm. Well, I do not know of any specific charity – but I will go consult the dear Bishop, that I daresay may have a notion about these things –

All Clorinda’s acquaintance were highly amuzed by this unexpected friendship with the Bishop of Wyreminster.

She took her little memorandum book out of her reticule and made a note. But, my dear, I came to approach you in a very different matter.

Janey sat up.

'Tis some years now since Tommie Thorne was here, and that young Cambridge don Henry Hackstead was quite at your feet –

He was not at my feet! He was providing me with tuition in mathematics –

Yes, my dear, of course. But anyway, they were having discourse of Tommie’s father’s researches on the mathematics of card-play –

Oh, indeed, that was very fascinating – should have liked to keep that up, but I do not think the parents of the young women that attend my conversaziones would be quite so agreeable did they hear that I set up a card-table, even was’t for the purpose of mathematical investigation.

Well, Janey dear, I fancy I have a task to your hand that you may find intriguing.

Clorinda put down her cup, and explained the situation.

Of course one had heard of ladies that were devoted to cards, but none of 'em were in any set she was in, and they sounded to be not interested in the fascinating mathematical questions that there were. Also that there were ladies that liked to play high, that struck Janey, brought up by that careful household and estate manager Lady Jane and a father who, though daring in naval warfare, was not given to financial imprudence, as a foolish enterprize.

Unless, of course, one had a very sound apprehension of the underlying mathematical principles –

So, there is a strong suspicion that these ladies are not playing straight and rooking the ladies that attend their salon as if 'twere a gaming hell.

Janey got up and walked about the room a little, crying, what beasts!

Why, there is Lady Venchall separated from her husband, and Mrs Bramby a widow whose husband left naught but debts, one fancies they must be in some straits – but sure one cannot like that the play is not straight. Now, my proposition is, Leda Hacker will convey you a little tuition in how to spot cogging – and I daresay your understanding of play would also convey you certain suspicions – while Lady Lucretia Grigson already has the entrée to that set and could introduce you there.

Janey began to smile. O, this sounds like fine sport! she said.

La, you are the dear Admiral’s daughter! – though I fancy he would have gone in with a horsewhip – the dear creature – You must, of course, talk this over with Geoff –

Talk what over with Geoff? enquired Mr Merrett entering somewhat unexpected and coming over to kiss his wife and shake Clorinda’s hand. No, pray do not ring for fresh tea, I will go make myself a whisky and soda.

He came and sat down and looked at 'em with his famed piercing gaze.

Fie, said Clorinda, do not use your courtroom tricks upon us, Geoffrey Merrett! No, I will happily disclose what we are about, and I fancy 'tis one of those matters where the law can do naught but one may be able to do somewhat to bring about justice.

Geoff laughed, and sipped at his glass, and remarked that he had heard MacDonald refer to her as Madame Nemesis.

O, poo-poo, 'tis an antient joke betwixt us.  She went on to disclose the matter to Geoff, that remarked that indeed one recollected the Venchall scandal – the crim. con case, the separation – Venchall in no urgency to proceed to the tiresome expense of a divorce, three thriving sons, maintains a cozy establishment in St John’s Wood, so no imperative need to remarry – the lover ratted –

I fancy, said Clorinda drily, that he was just the unfortunate that got caught in flagrante. Or so Hattie Nixon will have it. But to return to our muttons of this device: here is dear Janey, that does not only have this capacity in mathematics that is most out of the common – and not just among our sex! – she also has, have we not perceived over the years, a considerable dramatique talent?

Oh! Janey raised her hands to her face.

For I had not yet proceeded to the part where I fancied 'twould be prudent to present the role of a bored wife, that finds a deal of tedium in life in Bloomsbury whilst her husband is about the Law Courts – have these harpies heard aught of your studies you may pass that off as dabbling to relieve your ennui, but I fancy they have not. I am in no doubt that you will impress them by being in quite the crack o’ style –

She gave Janey a knowing smile, for she could hardly be ignorant that Sophy’s Thomasina – Miss Thomasine of Mamzelle Bridgette – considered her darling the flagship for her abilities as a modiste.

– we might desire dear Amelia Addington to provide a few hints –

We must be very glad, said Geoff, draining his glass, that you have never took to crime. Except in the pages of fiction, he added, for the identity of Lady Anonyma was hardly a secret among Clorinda’s set.

Clorinda blushed.